Leamon "LE" Elree Malone, 94, of Byhalia, passed away peacefully at the Mississippi State Veterans Home in Oxford, Mississippi, on June 19, 2024. He was born in Marietta, Mississippi, on August 19, 1929, to Wrather Gordon Malone and Pernie Caroline Johnson Malone. Mr LE was preceded in death by his loving wife of seventy two years, Rhea Moore Malone, and by his parents.
Mr Malone graduated from high school at the age of seventeen, and from college at twenty one years of age. He earned both a Bachelor's and Master's degree from Mississippi State University, with a major in Vocational Agriculture. After his sophomore year at Mississippi State, he married his high school sweetheart, Rhea Moore, and in June of 2021, they celebrated their seventy second wedding anniversary.
Mr LE served in the United States Air Force and was stationed in Okinawa, Japan, when the peace treaty ending the Korean War was signed.
Mr Malone was a born educator. He taught in the Mississippi Public School system for twenty years and also coached varsity basketball (girls and boys), He and Mrs Malone enjoyed watching all sports together, especially any game played by the Bulldogs.
Mr LE grew up on a farm in Northeast Mississippi, and was fortunate to enjoy a second career as the owner of Malone's International, Inc, a farm equipment dealership in Holly Springs, Mississippi. It was a venture which he eventually shared with his son, Phil, as co-owner for over thirty one years. He served his farming customers as if they were family. During this time as owner of the dealership, he was elected and served two terms on the Marshall County Board of Supervisors for District 3.
He was a member of the Byhalia United Methodist Church, where he was in faithful attendance, and served on administrative boards for many years. At ninety two years old, he prepared lessons and taught Sunday School to the Fellow Workers, a class of his peers. His most loved subject to teach was on Faith, and all who knew him knew that he loved the verse, "Faith without works is dead."
Mr Malone was also the oldest living member of the Byhalia Chapter of Lions Club, where recently he was awarded the Melvin Jones Fellowship Award, which is the highest Lions Club International Award presented to a member. He was presented this award with members of his local club and family members who traveled to the Veterans Home in Oxford for this special presentation.
In retirement, Mr LE continued to have a small cotton crop. He enjoyed working in his vegetable garden, and especially growing his beloved "gardenias", which he share with all the ladies at the bank and at church. He, like his father, was a member of the Grand Lodge of Mississippf F&AM. In his own words, he described himself as a "God loving-church going Christian. I believe that God is the giver and sustainer of life." He will be remembered and missed by all who ever knew him.
Mr Malone is survived by a son, Phil Malone (Donna), and a daughter, Julia DeBardeleben (Rick). He also leaves five grandchildren, Mandy Malone Black (Jason), Alex DeBardeleben (Mary Katherine), Molly Malone Gates (Casey), Phillip DeBardeleben (Kassitee), and Miles DeBardeleben (Tori), and eleven precious great grandchildren. He is also survived by two sisters, Wanda Malone Sanders of Olive Branch, Betty Malone Love of Baldwyn, and a 101 year old maternal aunt, Truda Johnson Stacy of Amory.
Funeral services for Mr Malone will be held on Wednesday, June 26, 2024, at 1:00 pm, in the Sanctuary of the Byhalia United Methodist Church. A visitation for family and friends will begin at noon, and continue until service time. Burial, following the service, will be in the Byhalia Cemetery. The Holly Springs Funeral Home has charge. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the Byhalia United Methodist Church, PO Box 6, Byhalia, MS 38611.
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